ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD OF ELECTIVE COLORECTAL SURGERY: EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF AGE

Introduction Life expectancy has significantly increased from the last century to the present due to advances in science, vaccination, medical care, and better lifestyles. Between 1990 and 2019, global life expectancy rose from 64 to 72.8 years. With an aging population, diseases such as colorectal cancer are more prevalent, especially among the elderly, increasing postoperative challenges, with acute kidney injury (AKI) being one of the most frequent complications.

Objective To analyze risk factors related to acute kidney injury in the postoperative period of elective colorectal surgeries in patients over 65 years of age. Additionally, to outline the socioeconomic, clinical-surgical, and laboratory profile of the study population.

Method A clinical, observational, longitudinal, prospective, and analytical study with a quantitative approach. It was conducted through the analysis of electronic medical records of patients who underwent colorectal surgery at a Teaching Hospital in São Paulo (SP), Brasil.

Results Thirty patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery were analyzed. The average age was 70.4 years (range 66-85 years), with 53.3% female and 46.6% ex-smokers or active smokers. The main comorbidity was Systemic Arterial Hypertension (63.3%), followed by Diabetes Mellitus (23.3%), Dyslipidemia (16.6%), Hypothyroidism (10%), Heart Failure (6.6%), and Chronic Kidney Disease (3.3%). The majority of patients (73.2%) had adenocarcinoma of the rectum and sigmoid. Approximately 33.3% of the patients developed AKI. No significant association was observed between the development of AKI and the following variables: age, body mass index, volume infused during surgery, surgical time, and performance status.

Conclusion The non-use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors prior to surgery was the only factor related to the development of AKI in the postoperative period.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
25 April 2025